French film icon Alain Delon Dies at 88; receives tons of tributes from around the world. One of France's biggest stars in his prime, Delon had demanded a private burial ceremony on his property in Douchey, France.
After squabbling bitterly for several months over their father's medical treatment, Delon's children unanimously announced his death on Sunday. The children now have to organize the screen icon's funeral as they decide whether to restrict it to close relations or invite members of French cinema.
Alain Delon's movies dominated French screens in the 60s and 70s. In honor of the legend's life, Monday morning saw many French newspapers depict Delon's full portrait during his most active professional years. His most renowned performances attracted praise from around the world, highlighting his on-screen charisma and charm.
“A French Monument”
Numerous tributes pour in for one of the few living legends from French cinema's 60's golden era. Fellow 60s celebrity Brigitte Bardot, 89, said Delon "leaves a huge void that nothing, nobody, can fill".
Nathalie Baye, who acted alongside him in the movie, "Our Story", said Delon was "very endearing" though "not a fun guy". Alluding to one of his most famous roles as the enigmatic assassin in Jean-Pierre Melville's 1967 thriller "Le Samourai", Le Figaro's front-page headline hails Delon as "The Last Samurai."
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled him a "French monument" whose legendary roles "made the world dream." Meanwhile, newspapers worldwide honor Alan Delon's role in enhancing the French movie industry's global appeal with his on-screen charisma about half a century ago.
Controversial Views
While Delon had numerous fans globally, his political opinions and personal life drew controversies and split opinions. His relationship with women sprung controversies while his sons accused him of domestic violence. Delon denied accusations of domestic violence while admitting slapping women during fights.
His political views also drew criticism after he supported Jean-Marie Le Pen, co-founder of the far-right National Front, who wanted France to uphold the death penalty and fought against homosexual relationships.
Meanwhile, feminists showed dissatisfaction with the lifetime achievement award the Cannes Film Festival gave him in 2019. Towards the end of his life, Delon lived a reclusive life. His personal life, however, kept him on news headlines.
His three children filed a complaint against his housekeeper Hitomi Rollin, and sent her out of the property, accusing her of harassment and threatening behavior. Rollin, on the other hand, accused the children of denying him his medication.
The battle raged on publicly in the courtroom and media spaces as either party argued over his health, which aggravated after a stroke in 2019, the most probable answer to Alain Delon's cause of death.
Delon's final years were in the small village of Douchy, central France. Tens of visitors placed flowers at the deceased’s home on Monday, to show their respects.
Final Insights
French film icon Alain Delon died aged 88, after his health deteriorated following a stroke in 2019. Tributes pour in from around the world for the French legend, one of the last few living heroes of French cinema's golden era of the 60s and the 70s.